For most, Oct. 31 means candy and costumes. For Adventure Science Center, the date marked what would become a place for laser shows, Way Late Play Dates, and a number of exhibits.
The venue’s original location on 2nd Avenue South in downtown’s former University of Nashville building opened in 1945 as The Children’s Museum of Nashville. Of those involved from the start, Anthony “Tony” Sudekum might stand out. He’s the namesake of the Sudekum Planetarium, which was the only planetarium in Tennessee at the time of its dedication in 1952.
Dr. Armand Spitz, the designer of the star projector, attended the planetarium dedication ceremony as the guest of honor. | Photo via NPL Digital Collections
The museum’s offerings have always been out of this world, but a lot can happen in nearly 80 years. Let’s break down the big stuff by decade:
Late 1960s
Space was becoming an issue, but the stars aligned. Thanks to a donation from a director and the Justin and Valere Potter Foundation + negotiations with the Metro Parks Board of Commissioners, future plans for a location at Fort Negley Park were underway.
The Cumberland Museum and Science Center is almost complete at its new location in Fort Negley Park. | Photo via NPL Digital Collections
1970s
By fall 1972, trustees voted to rebrand to Cumberland Museum and Science Center, accounting for an increase in adult visitors. The museum’s new location opened two years later.
1980s + 1990s
This was a decade of many firsts, from laser shows and the earliest computer lab to new education initiatives like mobile outreach programming. The museum also expanded once again, adding 16,000 sqft in 1986. StarLab, a dome showing off the stars and constellations, was introduced in 1993.
2000s
If you’ve noticed a trend, the museum’s growth didn’t slow at the turn of the century.
- 2002: The 75-ft Adventure Tower opened.
- 2003: Another name change introduced Adventure Science Center.
- 2005: BodyQuest brought 9,000 sqft of interactive exhibits focused on the major body systems accompanied by science activities.
- 2008: Using $1.7 million from the last Sudekum daughter’s estate, the museum debuted the new Sudekum Planetarium and Space Chase exhibit gallery, which offered an up-close look at 6.5 million stars and the solar system.
Consider this your (star) sign to add one of Adventure Science Center’s upcoming events to your calendar.
